Fake authenticity certificate with rare malt..

[Dave h]

Any thoughts, advice or opinions on a bottle I bought at Heathrow airport. Ive been in contact with Customer Services and not able to agree any deal apart from full refund.

I bought a Balblair 1969 and the sale was a bit rushed, should have given it more time. But I wasnt expecting the genuine bottle to have a fake, poorly scissor cut, certificate of authenticity. A scruffy marked box with some minor damage inside.

I've had it confirmed by Balblair as a very poor attempt to replicate the certificate. I then discovered the bottle is missing an official letter, an information booklet and cardboard protective sleeve. The bottle wasnt cheap but did not expect a buyer beware attitude was needed for DUFRY Red / Heathrow.

As it stands I'm mulling over a full refund v a bottle I want to add/ keep in my collection knowing it's shortcomings. The bottle is the real deal. How desirable is the missing paperwork on future valuations, I have a genuine bottle and scuffed box. The certificate of authenticity is fit for the bin.

Anyone got any thoughts.... I suspect I've bought a display bottle, which through the years the paperwork has got lost.

[Winfield]

That's a shame that (what you'd imagine) a "reputable" retailer selling such a rare bottle incomplete...

It may be a long shot, but wouldn't Balblair be able to supply you the missing paperwork via post, so that you could include it in the box?

Failing that, if you're happy enough with the bottle on its own (and the amount you paid for it), I'd keep it.

[TheMaster]

If you're going to drink it, and you're 100% sure it's a genuine bottle, then no worries.

If you are holding it and will (at any future time) consider auctioning it, then you're in trouble. Having bad/fake paperwork is worse than having no paperwork. The paperwork is the thing that is backing the bottles authenticity, at that price and at auction people will want to see it; no paperwork then it's not going to be worth as much at auction.....fake paperwork and it's going to be pretty worthless. If you give a fake certificate, and it's clear to be fake, then it'll cast doubt on the bottle itself - you present fake documents and people will assume, if you have faked the paperwork then you may have faked the whisky too.


Take it back.

[Dave h]

I've taken the effort (time and fuel) to verify the certificate and visited Balblair distillery, spoken with staff and John MacDonald, following my initial contact via Facebook. Balblair have been very forthcoming and helpful.

There is no spare certificates or literature available but I have seen the full package at Balblair. We compared my authenticity certificate with bottle number 1 certificate at the distillery, it's embarrassing how awful the photocopy is. But in the shop it appeared ok even though a rush purchase. Only on inspection at home the poorly scissors cut certificate raised questions and the journey has been ongoing. Had hoped to keep but failing to get any acceptable offer of part refund and keep. Heathrow want the bottle back to investigate my claim. With a possibility to destroy the bottle or resell it with a better photocopy, I joke here. I asked for an exchange but they say it's against the law (don't recall the exact UK law)

[MattS]

Personally I'd go for the refund given that it sounds like proper papers aren't available.

[DillyT]

If you are the one that has gone to all the trouble to work out that it is fake and then contacted the Air port about what you have found then they should give you all the money back inc the cost of finding out it is fake.
If they do not you can tell them that you are going to the police and tell them that they are selling fake goods...

[Slainte mhath]

I'd be contacting trading standards and if needs be the police.
If the shop is selling fake goods then it's a crime and trading standards should take up the case.

[BigShing]

Probably a stupid question, but will they demand the bottle back if you opt for the refund option? I mean, if it doesn't have a certificate of authenticity anymore, then what can they do with it? Sell it off at a reduced price?

If there's any chance I could get a refund and keep the bottle to drink, then I would jump at the refund.

[Dave h]

The bottle and box look genuine. Balblair agree. Not sure solely a fake certificate is sufficient for complaint to Trading Standards or Police.

Negotiations ongoing and latest offer is they'll provide a courier to collect (as it was up to me to get packaging and post it back, absolute hassle) and offer me 20% discount on next purchase. I'm not sure Customer Services are treating my 'claim' serious as they want to do their own investigation. My word is not worth a penny. They've got all the photos.

Ideally I want the bottle, hence my research and I'm at a crossroads and thanks for replies.

[davidbe]

I'd be after a partial refund. Anything that comes with a certificate of authentication is worth less if that certificate cannot be provided or is not an original.

[James T]

I would have thought that DUFRY would want to investigate how this could have happened and would want the bottle back. It may have been some unscrupulous member of staff at Heathrow or somewhere along the supply line who has switched the certificates and I am not sure that I would fully trust the bottle as containing the genuine whisky.

It does make you wonder how many more bottles have DUFRY sold like this and how many more do they have that are just like this, with fake certificates.

[lincoln imp]

If you and Balblair are happy that the bottle is genuine then that is a start but much more important and not mentioned yet, is whether the seal and foil capsule are intact , with no sign of movement or tampering, if it is then your only option if you cannot get a reduction in price (and not just a small one) is to give it back to them, take your money and look on it as a lucky escape.

Comtacting the police is a waste of time because all they will do is to tell you to register your issue with the national fraud action website, plus you would never prove in a month of Sundays where any tampering actiually took place and who was responsible.


I agree as already mentioned Trading standards may be worth a shout as there may have been issues with this outlet already and it could be a pattern plus with things like this they have just as much powers as the police and in many cases more as they are best placed to deal.

Under no account should you give the bottle back until you have the refund in your bank account.
_________________
Pour me a glass please.

[TheWM]

I’m struggling to understand how a legitimate retailer appears to have a real bottle with fake paperwork.

[AB53Coo]

I'd return it, no questions asked. Wait if need be book a wee weekend away somewhere at a different airport to pick up another one. Nice excuse for a wee holiday and a whisky you won't have any doubts about